2008 Scottish Open Brass Band Championship - Runners and Riders
26-Nov-200814 bands will line up to see if their performance of 'St. Magnus' will catch the ears of judges Stephen Roberts and Chris Wormald.
Draw for order of play: 1.30pm
Contest commences: 3.00pm
Adjudicators: Dr Stephen Roberts & Chris Wormald
Test Piece: St Magnus (Kenneth Downie)
Awards:
1st: The Scottish Open Challenge Trophy, Commemorative Banner, Commemorative Engraved Glass Trophy and £3,000
2nd: Commemorative Engraved Glass Trophy and £1,500
3rd: Commemorative Engraved Glass Trophy and £500
The Winning Conductor will receive a commemorative glass paperweight
The Best Soloist will receive the 4BarsRest award of £100 plus trophy
Bon Accord Silver
Conductor: Morten E Hansen
4BR Ranking: 82
Principal Players:
Principal Cornet: David Cooper
Euphonium: Richard Kidd
Trombone: Mark Boyd
Soprano: Emma Nicol
Horn: Karen Cooper
Flugel: Oliver Mason
Baritone: Karen Crozier
Eb Tuba: Paula Leslie
Bb Tuba: Dawn Lynch
Scottish Open Record:
Appearances: 5th time
Debut: 2004
Last 5 Years:
2007: 14th (Bruce Wallace)
2006: 14th (Duncan Beckley)
2005: 16th (Duncan Beckley)
2004: 14th (Tony Swainson)
2003: DNC
Current Form:
With the experienced Morten E Hansen at the helm, Bon Accord should be confident of posting their best ever result at the Scottish Open, after four years in which they have played solidly enough but have yet to tickle the taste buds of the judges.
The 2008 form has been pretty good with a fine win at the Northern Counties Open, 4th place at the Land O’ Burns and a competitive 6th place at the Scottish Championships. With a fine batch of solo players in the ranks this could be a piece that may take their fancy.
Bo’ness & Carriden
Conductor: Michael Marzella
4BR Ranking: 151
Principal Players:
Principal Cornet: Gordon McFarlane
Euphonium: Scott Cameron
Trombone: Geoff Turnball
Soprano: Richard Tobin
Horn: Suzanne Robertson
Flugel: Sarah Findlay
Baritone: Jam Komorowski
Eb Tuba: Toni Pacher
Bb Tuba: Ian Squince
Scottish Open Record:
Appearances: 1st time
Debut: 2008
Last 5 Years:
2007: 2nd in Scottish Challenge Shield (Michael Marzella)
2006: DNC
2005: 17th (Bryan Keachie)
2004: DNC
2003: 14th (Bryan Keachie)
Current Form:
Mike Marzella continues to develop Bo’ness with a real sense of style to go with the solid virtues of hard work and solidity for on stage performances.
That has led to them winning the Scottish Championship First Section this year and putting in a very good performance at the Senior Cup at Blackpool, where they came 11th.
They were unlucky at Harrogate too where they came a disappointing 13th, but with experienced playes in the ranks and an MD who puts the music making first, their return to the Scottish Open for the first time since 2005 could see a very decent outcome.
Camborne
Conductor: Kevin MacKenzie
4BR Ranking: 49
Principal Players:
Principal Cornet: Kayleigh Rowe
Euphonium: Robert Jose
Trombone: Barry Buist
Soprano: Les Kneebone
Horn: Mark Letcher
Flugel: Andrew Mitchell
Baritone: Gavin Knowles
Eb Tuba: Timmy Joslin
Bb Tuba: Lee Trewhella
Scottish Open Record:
Appearances: 2nd time
Debut: 2007
Last 5 Years:
2007: 5th (Frank Renton)
2006: DNC
2005: DNC
2004: DNC
2003: DNC
Current Form:
Always good to see Camborne on the contesting stage away from the confines of the West of England region.
They don’t always travel well away from home it must be said, but if they can reproduce the type of form that has seen them come runner up at both Bugle and Yeovil they could be in with a good shout of mixing it with the prizes winners come results time.
A narrow miss at promotion from the Senior Trophy and a disappointing return at the West of England Area contest didn’t really reflect the bands performances on the day. That could change on the weekend and they could well fly home with some silverware if things just go their way .
Clackmannan District
Conductor: Paul Kiernan
4BR Ranking: 97
Principal Players:
Principal Cornet: Stuart Macaulay
Euphonium: William Downie
Trombone: John Muir
Soprano: N/K
Horn: Graham Caldwell
Flugel: Kate Burton
Baritone: Hilary Whitaker
Eb Tuba: Hazel Graham
Bb Tuba: Craig Dennis
Scottish Open Record:
Appearances: 1st time
Debut: 2008
Last 5 Years:
2007: Winners of Scottish Challenge Shield (Paul Kiernan)
2006: 3rd in Scottish Challenge Shield (Paul Kiernan)
2005: 3rd in Scottish Challenge Shield (Bruce Wallace)
2004: DNC
2003: DNC
Current Form:
Paul Kiernan is one of the up and coming conducting talents north of the border, and the former Scottish Co-op solo trombone player has really made a mark with Clackmannan.
Last year they took the Shield title with a fine performance and have since gone on to make steady progress as they prepare to make their Championship debut this weekend.
A win at Fife and podium finishes at the Fife Charities, Northern Counties and Scottish Championships were offset a little by a disappointing return at Harrogate, but despite the step up in class this weekend they should be confident of more than holding their own.
Dalmellington
Conductor: Archie Hutchison
4BR Ranking: 63
Principal Players:
Principal Cornet: Sandy McCulloch
Euphonium: David McKellar
Trombone: Derick Kirkwood
Soprano: David Roxburgh
Horn: Chris Dale
Flugel: John Boax
Baritone: Alison O'Donnell
Eb Tuba: Ian Taylor
Bb Tuba: Brian Mackie
Scottish Open Record:
Appearances: 3rd time
Debut: 2006
Last 5 Years:
2007: 8th (Archie Hutchison)
2006: 10th (Archie Hutchison)
2005: Winners Scottish Challenge Shield (Archie Hutchison)
2004: DNC
2003: DNC
Current Form:
The great Archie Hutchison continues to develop Dalmellington along the right musical lines and in 2008 there was plenty of evidence to show that his band are not that far away now from making a big impact at a major contest in Scotland.
7th place at the Scottish Championships was a decent return, and subsequently they came a solid 12th at the Senior Cup and won the Fife Charities Contest.
With a settled line up of players there is a sense that the band could be on the verge of a major breakthrough any time soon – hopefully on Saturday.
Fishburn
Conductor: Alan Morrison
4BR Ranking: 44
Principal Players:
Principal Cornet: John White
Euphonium: Jeff Bell
Trombone: Malcolm Gill
Soprano: Malcolm Usher
Horn: Martin Armstrong
Flugel: Melissa Maddison
Baritone: Neil Simpson
Eb Tuba: Colin Shaw
Bb Tuba: Colin Dixon
Scottish Open Record:
Appearances: 6th time
Debut: 2003
Last 5 Years:
2007: 7th (Ray Farr)
2006: 5th (Russell Gray)
2005: Winners (Ray Farr)
2004: 16th (Major Graham Jones)
2003: 6th (Graham O'Connor)
Current Form:
Alan Morrison becomes the fifth conductor to take the reins with Fishburn at the Scottish Open, and he will be looking to extend the bands fine return of results here once again.
The 2005 win not withstanding, Fishburn seem to like it here just about more than any other contest they compete at, and have delivered some pretty good performances since 2003.
2008 has seen the band recover from the disappointment of not qualifying for London to post solid returns at the Senior Cup and Pontins and perform with a great deal of character at the English Nationals against a very high class field off the number 1 draw.
They could be a bit of a dark horse this weekend.
Kingdom Brass
Conductor: Craig Anderson
4BR Ranking: 38
Principal Players:
Principal Cornet: Lee Bathgate
Soprano: Martin Edwards
Flugel: Michelle Cain
Horn: Stuart McKenzie
Euphonium: Brian Paterson
Baritone: Lucy Forbes
Trombone: Marion Brackpool
Eb Bass: Angus Pearce
Bb Tuba: John Hamilton
Scottish Open Record:
Appearances: 6th time
Debut: 2003
Last 5 Years:
2007: 9th (John Hinckley)
2006: 11th (Craig Anderson)
2005: 12th (Graham O'Connor)
2004: 7th (Ray Farr)
2003: 13th (Archie Hutchinson)
Current Form:
Kingdom Brass is certainly making progress in the right direction under the baton of the talented Craig Anderson, and 2008 has seen them produce a string of well merited results.
Third place at the Scottish Championships was the clarion call and since then they have taken the Fife title and post podium finishes at the West Lothian and Fife Charities contests.
The only blip was a disappointing 17th place at the Senior Cup, but with a solid array of talented players around the stands and with a top class musician at the helm, they could well be forcing their way into the top 10 here once more.
Kirkintilloch
Conductor: Allan Ramsay
4BR Ranking: 16
Principal Players:
Principal Cornet: David Prentice
Euphonium: Neil Phillip
Trombone: Chris Rivera
Soprano: Steve Stewart
Horn: Allan Wardrope
Flugel: Caron Robson
Baritone: James Corrigan
Eb Tuba: Andy McKreel
Bb Tuba: David Trusdale
Scottish Open Record:
Appearances: 6th time
Debut: 2003
Last 5 Years:
2007: =12th (Howard Taylor)
2006: 4th (Steve Bastable)
2005: 2nd (Steve Bastable)
2004: 8th (Steve Bastable)
2003: 5th (Frank Renton)
Current Form:
The pre contest favourites, certainly if they are able to reproduce the form that saw them come 5th at the British Open. There they were at their best – full of life, cracking soloists and thrill a minute playing.
More of that and the contest is just about in the bag, but if they perform as they did last year here then they may well be throwing themselves off the top of the Perth Concert Hall.
This is a very fine band on their day, but they are prone to inconsistecy – sometimes, big time. Great at the Scottish Championships, Birmingham and Stavanger (where they were unlucky to come 11th), but not so good at London where they were very ordinary.
Which Kirky will turn up this weekend then?
Pemberton Old Wigan JJB
Conductor: Mark Bentham
4BR Ranking: 46
Principal Players:
Principal Cornet: Joanne Johnson
Euphonium: Andy Tyson
Trombone: David Chapman
Soprano: John Atkinson
Horn: Chris Sanders
Flugel: Carina Halliwell
Baritone: David Marsh
Eb Tuba: Steven Parfitt
Bb Tuba: Andew Warriner
Scottish Open Record:
Appearances: 1st time
Debut: 2008
Last 5 Years:
2007: DNC
2006: N/A
2005: N/A
2004: N/A
2003: N/A
Current Form:
Always good to see an English band willing to put their hard earned reputation on the line by making the long trip north, and Pemberton are just that, after a year in which they have made excellent progress, latterly under the baton of Mark Bentham.
He has of course tasted victory here with Hepworth and he comes with a band that has shown fine form all season, with solid performances at the Area, Wychavon, Flemish Open and wins at Buxton and Brass at The Guild Hall.
Not a bad season in anyones book that, but this is serious step up in class. We don’t think that will put them off some how.
RMT Easington Colliery
Conductor: John Roberts
4BR Ranking: 104
Principal Players:
Principal Cornet: Dennis Todd
Euphonium: Clive Parker
Trombone: Elizabeth Bateman
Soprano: Mike Holiday
Horn: Jonathan Collins
Flugel: Jo Brown
Baritone: Peter Lawson
Eb Tuba: Ben Cauldwell
Bb Tuba: Mike Gray
Scottish Open Record:
Appearances: 2nd time
Debut: 2007
Last 5 Years:
2007: =10th (Norman Law)
2006: DNC
2005: DNC
2004: DNC
2003: DNC
Current Form:
A late change of conductor sees the vastly experienced (and successful) John Roberts take the helm for Easington’s second appearance at the contest.
Not a bad year so far (and that’s not counting the secret millionaire’s donation to keep the band going) and they have performed pretty well at the North East Area in addition to their regular trips into foreign lands at the Fife and Land O’ Burns contests.
Could be a bit of an ask to see them come away with silverware on this occasion, but another top 10 finish could well be on the cards.
Scottish Co-op Band
Conductor: Michael Fowles
4BR Ranking: 14
Principal Players:
Principal Cornet: Jim Hayes
Euphonium: Alison Bonnar
Trombone:
Soprano: Caroline Tennant
Horn: Rachel Love
Flugel: Caroline Munroe
Baritone: Graham Dow
Eb Tuba: John Gawn
Bb Tuba:
Scottish Open Record:
Appearances: 6th time
Debut: 2003
Last 5 Years:
2007: 2nd (Allan Ramsay)
2006: 2nd (Allan Ramsay)
2005: 9th (Frank Renton)
2004: 2nd (Frank Renton)
2003: Winners (Russell Gray)
Current Form:
Are Scottish Co-op finally settled? After a period of uncertainty and instability it seems so, with an influx of quality players and a new home.
It hasn’t been a vintage year so far for the band, with the welcome win at the West Lothian challenge being the highlight of some disappointing returns at the Masters and British Open (athough the latter did show glimpses of their real potential).
Michael Fowles will certainly have them well prepared and they have enjoyed ‘St Magnus’ before, with a cracking show at the Europeans in 2004. That was then though and this is now, but they should be in the mix once more and a second Scottish Open title shouldn’t be discounted by any means.
Unison Kinneil
Conductor: Andrew Berryman
4BR Ranking: 59
Principal Players:
Principal Cornet: Keith Johnston
Euphonium: Ian Campbell
Trombone: Christopher Mansfield
Soprano: Owen Downs
Horn: Helen Corrigan
Flugel: Tommy Harrower
Baritone: Hayley Bain
Eb Tuba: Paul Drury
Bb Tuba: Gary Kelly
Scottish Open Record:
Appearances: 6th time
Debut: 2003
Last 5 Years:
2007: =12th (Colin MacKenzie)
2006: 13th (Colin McKenzie)
2005: 15th (Andrew Berryman)
2004: 13th (Allan Ramsay)
2003: 11th (Allan Ramsay)
Current Form:
Andrew Berryman returns to Kinneil for the first time 2005, and he will be looking for a final flourish with the band before he leaves for the considerably warmer shores of Dubai in the next few weeks.
Not a bad year so far for the band with decent enough returns at the Scottish Championships, Senior Cup and West Lothian Challenge, but they haven’t really shone here at this contest in each of their five previous appearances.
That could well change this year if they can just up their game.
Whitburn
Conductor: Andy Duncan
4BR Ranking: 13
Principal Players:
Principal Cornet: Chris Bradley
Euphonium: Evelyn Bradley
Trombone: Alex Phillip
Soprano: Scott Forrest
Horn: Ian Fleming
Flugel: James Chamberlain
Baritone: Anne Crookston
Eb Tuba: Graham Fraser
Bb Tuba: Alan Gourlay
Scottish Open Record:
Appearances: 6th time
Debut: 2003
Last 5 Years:
2007: Winners (Andrew Duncan
2006: Winners (Andrew Duncan)
2005: 6th (Andrew Duncan)
2004: 3rd (Andrew Duncan)
2003: 8th (Andrew Duncan)
Current Form:
Can Whitburn make it a hat trick of wins this weekend? If they do then they will have done it through blood, sweat and the occasional few tears.
It’s been a very uneven year for the band on the contest stage in terms of results (wins at the Scottish Championship and Land O’ Burns offset by disappointments at the West Lothian Challenge, British Open, Nationals, and especially Brass in Concert), but lady luck hasn’t been kind to them.
If she had then Whitburn would come here as possibly unassailable favourites for victory, but given the hammer blow sufferred at The Sage a fortnight ago, it will take a herculean effort for them to raise their game in such a short space of time to do it.
If they do then look out for the celebrations.
Yorkshire Imperial Urquhart Travel
Conductor: Richard Evans
4BR Ranking: 39
Principal Players:
Principal Cornet: Alan Fowler
Euphonium: Adrian Nurney
Soprano: Donna Ramsden
Trombone: Richard Taylor
Horn: Laura Brown
Flugel: Ginette Baker
Baritone: William Hodgson
Eb Bass: Daniel Jackson
Bb Tuba: Gordon Eddison
Scottish Open Record:
Appearances: 2nd time
Debut: 2007
Last 5 Years:
2007: 4th (Jim Davies)
2006: DNC
2005: DNC
2004: DNC
2003: DNC
Current Form:
No one seems to know what we could really expect from Yorkshire Imps at the moment, as they haven’t been the busiest of bands on the contesting front during the past season.
With Richard Evans at the helm though anything is possible and there was plenty of quality about their 4th place here last year that’s for sure.
Not a great return at the Yorkshire Area or the Grand Shield though, so an each way bet at the Perth bookies for a top six finish may be the best you may get.
